Joseph Blinker [10344]

1891-1964

Father Nm: James Blinker 1846: oldest known Ancestor – Henry Blinko d.1685 Swaffam Bulbeck.

Mother Nm: Sophia Chennell [6717] born 1854.

Marriage Dt:

1. C1922 USA Portland Oregon?
2. 1934 Vancouver

K comments: Brother Frank served with the Machine Gun Corps in WW1

Spouse Comments:

1. Vada Clarissa Blinker was born in the USA
2. Alma Maria Yilpaunu was born in 14 October 1898 Sakyla Finland arrived in Canada via Nigeria in 1924 and died in 2003 in Vancouver

Children:

(Research): Cobb, BFA archives

Born

22. February 1891 Stradbroke, Suffolk

1901 Census Pixey Green, Stradbroke, Suffolk

1. Blinker James Head Farmer M 1846 Moulton 55
2. Blinker Sophia Wife F 1855 Brandon 46
3. Blinker Frank Son M 1895 Moulton 6
4. Blinker James Son M 1880 Moulton 21
5. Blinker Jane Dau F 1887 Moulton 14
6. Blinker Joseph Son M 1890 Moulton 11
7. Blinker Lily Dau F 1893 Moulton 8
8. Blinker Mary Ann Mother F 1838 Ashley 63
9. Blinker Samuel Son Farmers Son M 1876 Moulton 25

1911 Emigrated to canada

• 12th April. Arrived at the Port of St John in New Brunswick.

1911 census

Joseph Blinker born in England was a servant living in Kings Albert, New Brunswick the Sherwood family was born on 21.2.1891 in England and arrived in 1911 farm labourer

WW1

Blinker Joseph, 1890, Stradbroke, Suffolk,  Able Seaman, VR-2471, Royal Canadian Navy Voluntary Reserve.

1916-1919

Note: The Royal Canadian Naval Reserve was established in Vancouver in 1915 and given Josephs service number VR-2471 we know that he was recruited sometime after that ie 2,740 sailors before him. It would by definition put his recruitment in the 1916-1917 period.

Prior to 1916 the RCNR was operating a single ship HMCS Rainbow which was patrolling the Pacific Coast of Canada for enemy ships.

The Naval reserve was a voluntary force and Joseph must have responded to the call perhaps from a poster like this one.

Volunteers enrolled for three-year terms and could renew their terms for additional three-year periods up to the age of 45. Volunteers trained for 21 days per year of the equivalent in military drills. The British Admiralty provided instructional officers with training in seamanship, company and field drills, torpedo and electrical instruction, engineer and stokehold work, signalling, wireless telegraphy, and first aid. Those volunteers who were seamen or fishermen in their civilian careers were to receive training at sea, while those who lived near the sea would do some of their training at sea and those who lived inland would receive their training at their company’s headquarters

Joseph’s training undoubtedly took place in the Esquimalt Naval Base in Vancouver

• In 1916 the RCNR was expanded with an Overseas division that essentially sent RCNR men to join the Royal Nay operation out of Gt Britain. Its believed this is where Joseph went, we have no evidence except that he returned from Manchester in 1919 on a Merchant ship to New York the ship listing indicating he is an alien discharged from service.
• 1919 Joseph is a Passenger age 28 born in England departed Manchester in 1919 and arrived New York on board Bovic.

  

   

Medals

 

Sources

After the War

A photograph of Joseph possibly around 1934

1922-23

• 14 October. Joseph applies for US naturalisation based on entry to USA on this date.  In the document, he states his age 33 years birthdate,  birthplace date of entry to the USA  and Port Eastport. Curiously he gives his spouse Vada Clarissa Blinker born in the USA residing at 569 Hoyt St Portland Oregon.

No Joseph or Vada Clarissa records were found, and it’s presumed that Joseph divorced and returned to Vancouver, Canada, because the next record we find is a second marriage in 1934.

1934

• 14th  February. Marriage to Alma Pauner ( Alma Maria Yilpanu) b 1899 Finland in Vancouver Canada

1945 and 1953 Electoral Lists

Joseph and Alma appear on the Vancouver lists, and Joseph gives occupation as Gardener.

1964 Death

• 8th January Vancouver

Gallery